Always put God first, says Gunemba

I’ve been able to achieve so much in football through God’s blessing.”

By LARRY ANDREW
RAYMOND Gunemba’s soccer career recorded another achievement after the Morobe man was named in the International Federation of Football History and Statistics Oceania men’s team of the decade (2010-2020).
The Papua New Guinea international, who captains Lae City Dwellers, is one of three Pacific Islanders in the team which is dominated by New Zealand (NZ).

The team are goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic (NZ), left-back Winston Reid (NZ), centre-back Tommy Smith (NZ), right-back Ryan Nelsen (NZ), Fijian Roy Krishna, All White Ryan Thomas, attacking midfielder Marco Rojas (NZ), holding midfielder Ivan Vicelich (NZ), and forwards Teaonui Tehau (Tahiti), Chris Wood (NZ) and Gunemba. “This is one of my biggest football achievements for which I’m grateful to God,” 2016 Oceania Football Confederation Nations Cup Golden Boot winner Raymond told The National last week.
“To be named in the team of the decade is another big milestone in my career.
“I’m not sure if any PNG soccer player has achieved such recognition.
“Across the region, including PNG, there are so many talented soccer players and I’m just lucky to be one of three Pacific Islanders to receive the recognition.
“I’ve been able to achieve so much in football through God’s blessing.”
One of the National Soccer League’s leading strikers Raymond warned upcoming footballers that discipline, commitment and humility were crucial in any sport, including soccer.
“Put God first in your life and you will receive His blessings on your path to achieving your goals and living your dream,” the 35-year-old said.
“There were a number of people who had helped in my football career, especially my father and mother.

“My father, Peter, continues to be my mentor while my mother, Janet, helps me spiritually by keeping me in her prayers in all my games.
“I also want to make special mention of Vonnie Kapi Natto who has helped shape my football career.
“After matches, I saw that drinking alcohol became a habit of many players.
“But since joining Hekari United, I started to realise the importance of discipline, and God must be given the glory.
“It drove me to change my bad habits and I’m thankful to Vonnie for her support.
“Her and husband John invested a lot of resources into my development.
“They didn’t see my bad side.

“They just helped me in my development as a footballer.”
Peter said he was proud of his son’s achievements, adding that God had given a great player to the family, province and country.
“I’m also proud of the achievements of his sister and fellow PNG international Meagan,” the Dwellers coach said.
“It shows that PNG can match the football heavyweights of the region.
“I’m grateful to the national team, Hekari, Dwellers, Lae City and everyone who has contributed to Raymond’s development.”
Long-time Papuan Compound resident Raymond’s father is from Burum, Finschhafen, and mother comes from Zenag, Mumeng, Bulolo.
The former City skipper is the eldest of four siblings – the others are Troy, Janet and Meagan – and has three children (two boys and a girl) with wife Nialin Chamilou, who is from Manus.
“I grew up in a soccer family,” Raymond said.

“My mother’s siblings, Raymond and Gidix Nasa, represented PNG in the sport.
“I used to carry their soccer boots to games in the local competition or PNG Football Association-sanctioned tournaments.
“Wherever my uncles were camping and playing, I was there.
“That determination and commitment started to have an effect on me as the thought of emulating them kept crossing my mind.”
Papuan Compound, which is also home to Women’s National Soccer League team Poro, is somewhat of a nursery for sportsmen and women, especially footballers.
It is also home to sevens rugby union star Max Vali who switched codes earlier this year to help Digicel Cup heavyweights Lae Tigers claim the double in the country’s premier rugby league competition.

Raymond said growing up, soccer was in his blood and not even a serious injury could stop him from playing the game he loved.
The Morobe native was doing Grade 5 at St Paul’s Primary School when he sustained a foot injury which had threatened to derail his dream.
“Despite my foot being plastered, the injury did not stop me from playing up soccer,” Raymond said.
“Upon recovery, my passion for football caught the attention of my father, who began teaching me skills and other areas of football.
“The more I committed myself to soccer, I started to see results.
“By the age of 16, I was playing against senior Lae Football Association (LFA) players.
“I represented the Under-19 national team against the Solomon Islands at LFA Park during the launching of the National Soccer League.
“It was my first time to play for the country.” He went on to represent the U23 national team against Fiji.
Raymond started playing semi-professional football with Gigira Laitepo Morobe United, before spending time at Rapatona Tigers, Eastern Stars, Hekari United and City.
He also had overseas stints with Hamilton Wanderers (NZ), Henderson Eels (Solomon Islands) and Geelong (Australia).
Raymond returned to Lae to help resurrect Dwellers – who are third in the Northern Conference, behind Morobe Wawens and ladder-leading City – after another stint with Hekari last season.